Chapter 46 - 45 – A Stillness Before Movement
The week passed in repetition. Wake. Train. Eat. Film. Sleep. And again.
For Thiago, the calm was misleading. His performances had stabilized—coaches no longer praised every clean pass, nor scolded every missed switch. He was no longer the new kid flashing potential. He was expected.
The matches had started to feel heavier. Not because of difficulty, but because of expectations pressing down with silent weight. He’d played in three straight matches, rotating between full 90s and second-half entries. Steady. Useful. No errors. But the question lingered in his mind after each final whistle:
Had he made a difference?
Their next match was an away trip to São Bento, mid-table and physical, but with a vulnerable backline if pressed correctly. Eneas had been clear during the briefing:
"We don’t need flashes. We need control. Anyone chasing the highlight can sit this one."
The statement landed like a stone. It wasn’t directed at Thiago—but it still stuck to him.
On the bus to Sorocaba, Thiago sat alone. The lights overhead flickered slightly, neon strips lining the aisle like quiet runway lights. He stared out the window, eyes unfocused, while his thoughts ran laps.
He thought of Neymar again. The clip from the Santos match had gone national. Sports channels had run segments on "the next Ronaldinho." Journalists were already using words like "special," "inevitable," and "generational." He was sixteen.
And Thiago? He was playing well. Consistently. Earning 7.5s and 7.8s. Fulfilling tactical roles.
Not inevitable. Not generational.